The International Water Association’s Water and Development Congress & Exhibition (WDCE) 2025 will once again deliver a comprehensive programme focused on the water-related needs of low- and middle-income countries.
With an overarching theme of Water, sanitation, and innovation – pathways to progress and a resilient future, the 2025 edition will present solutions spanning water and sanitation services, the role of water in urban areas, the links between cities and basins, and the opportunities to achieve climate resilience.
Huge investments are being directed towards water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in the Global South, and the event will encourage participants to share knowledge on innovations in science and practice, highlighting the opportunities of securing new and effective solutions in water and sanitation policy, technology, and management.
The event will feature keynote addresses by leading sector figures, specially invited to share their experiences in shaping and delivering solutions. The programme will also provide a unique platform for water professionals to present and share their recent findings and insights. This will give you an opportunity to:
- Create new, inspiring solutions to the world’s water development challenges
- Validate and disseminate work by presenting it during a world-class Congress
- Learn and grow professionally through privileged access to the best content, cross-sector knowledge, and diverse experiences
- Expand your network and meet new professional partners by engaging with the leading water experts
Key dates
- Call for Content deadline: 16 March 2025
- Event starts 8 December 2025
- Event ends 12 December 2025
Topics & thematic tracks
The programme will showcase global best practice, applied research, policy developments and solutions relating to challenges faced by water professionals in low- and middle-income countries. The five broad thematic tracks are listed below along with topics, though other relevant topics will also be considered:
TOPICS
- Addressing intermittent water supply and achieving 24/7 service
- Circular economy approaches in water and sanitation
- Climate smart approaches to water and sanitation
- Climate- Resilient water and sanitation systems
- Data-driven decision-making in water management
- Flood risk assessment and management in urban environments
- Innovations in sanitation for undeserved communities
- Integrated urban drainage systems for flood risk reduction
- Integrated water resources management (IWRM) for sustainable development
- Low-cost and decentralised water and sanitation treatment solutions
- Nature-based solutions in supply, sanitation, and stormwater management
- New technologies for water treatment and supply
- Non-revenue water and leakage management
- Partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaboration in water management
- Resource recovery and reuse in water and sanitation management
- The role of digital technologies (IoT, AI) in water and sanitation systems
- Water and sanitation safety plans for urban and rural settings
- Water quality monitoring and early monitoring systems
THEMATIC TRACKS
- Ensure Safe Drinking Water: Innovative approaches for treatment and supply.
- Advancing Wastewater Treatment and Sanitation Services: Sustainable solutions for all.
- Smart Water Management: Integrated approaches for effective water management and planning.
- Enhancing Utility Management and Operations for Sustainable Growth.
- Strengthening Governance and Financial Systems for Long-Term Development.
Special Forums
The conference will include a number of special forums, one of which will be on From Land to Sea: Tackling Pollutants, Protecting Health, and Restoring Ecosystems. This forum will explore the sources of pollutants from land and sea, their impacts on human health and marine ecosystems, and identify practical solutions to reduce these threats and promote healthier, more resilient environments.